my engagement in conversation with issues and concerns related to my vocation as a seminary lecturer. Opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my personal views and do not represent the official position of the seminary

Friday, 11 January 2008

Some Interesting Statistics about 2008 Intake

Classes in the new academic year officially begin next week. The new students have settled in the new environment and the seniors are now back in campus. I have briefly analysed the new intake this year and here are some interesting statistics:

International students made up 41% of the new intake while the balance 59% are local students. This is perhaps the highest number of international intake in the history of the seminary. We rejoice that an increasing number of students from the region are now coming to STM for their ministerial training and formation.

The average age of the first year international students is 25.9 years old while the average age of the local students is 28.3 years old. This statistics could further support what Alex predicted when he says that the average age of students entering seminary will rise. At the same time, it is also interesting to note that the average age of international students is 2.4 years younger than local students.

There is equal male-female ratio for international students while for the local students, the male-female ratio is 11:9.

There is a slight drop of intake for local students in the English department this year. Of the local students, 65% are in the Chinese Department while the balance 35% are in the English Department. This may be the trend for the coming years as we continue to see more ethnic Chinese parents sending their children to Chinese vernacular schools in Malaysia. There is an increasing number of younger generation who are fluent in the Chinese language. In addition, many Chinese speaking churches in Malaysia are also experiencing encouraging growth. The English speaking students generally come from large urban centres.

The single largest denomination represented among the first year students is the Methodist Church of Malaysia.

I agree with Paul that it is exciting to see so many international students in STM. This meant that STM has built a reputation in the region. It is encouraging to note that in Singapore seminaries, there is also an increase in international students.

Thanks for mentioning my 'prediction'

Another point of interest is your local male to female ratio. I believe normally the female ratio is higher. It is interesting that this year's intake, the male ratio is so high. Is it significant or a once off thingy?

The drop in enrolment in English Speaking students is a trend that continues to be worrying. I believe it is also the same in other seminaries in Malaysia. It does have it negative effects. As the Chinese speaking student group grows, the Chinese speaking faculty becomes more powerful. The English faculty may be reduced to a department. Another negative effect is the cost effectiveness of employing too many lecturers for fewer students. This may sound heretical but did anyone ever suggest merging the English departments of the various Malaysian seminaries?

The male-female ratio is almost the same throughout the years. But the interesting thing is that the female ratio is much higher among the Chinese Dept compared to the English Dept. Could this be that many English speaking churches are more conversative? Perhaps the acceptance of female leadership in ministry remains an issue?

In the past years, the number of English-Chinese Depts intake is almost the same, with a slight higher number in the English Dept. But this year is exceptational.

I guess another factor is that many of our English speaking young adults are encouraged by their parents to remain overseas after their overseas tertiary education. If this trend continues, we will definately see the declining number of students in the English Dept.

Merging seminaries? Not heretical! But before we talk of mergers, let's start with more cooperation first!

About Me

I am a Christ-follower by calling, a Lecturer in New Testament Studies and Assistant Director of Postgraduate Studies at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia by vocation, and a lover of the New Testament by passion. I am also an ordained minister of the Evangelical Free Church of Malaysia.